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21 Aug

Oil industry warned against fronting

ObserverEnergy, Main

Martin Endjala The deputy minister of Mines and Energy, Kornelia Shilunga, has warned players in the oil and gas industry against fronting Namibians into positions. She made these remarks during the 2024 Namibia Oil and Gas Conference that started in Windhoek on Wednesday. “Ideally, all vacant positions should be advertised in local media to ensure that Namibians, who meet minimum requirements from all corners of the country, have an equal employment opportunity,” she said. This year's conference theme is “The Next Step Towards a Prosperous Oil and Gas Industry.” Shilunga said she has learnt that some oil industry players are…

20 Aug

Paragon expands operations across Africa

ObserverMainDesmond Amunyela, Paragon Aviation Services

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Paragon Aviation Services, the company currently managing ground handling services at the Hosea Kutako International Airport, has announced its expansion into other African countries. Paragon’s executive director, Desmond Amunyela said the company currently operates duty-free stores at Victoria Falls International Airport and Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Zimbabwe and Lusaka International Airport in Zambia. Zambia has invited the company to expand services to a secondary airport at Ndola in the copper belt areas. Amunyela said there are plans to expand into other countries such as Angola, South Africa, Rwanda, and South Sudan. “We are doing a few…

19 Aug

MP’s should be elected directly -Itula

ObserverMainIndependent Patriots for Change (IPC)

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) president, Panduleni Itula has clarified that should IPC become the next government, they would create constituency members of Parliament who are directly elected by the people. He proposes replacing Regional Councillors with constituency members who would be directly elected by the people, enhancing accountability and aligning with the principles of representative democracy. He was clarifying what he meant in the article that was published by the Windhoek Observer on Monday titled, “Itula’s government to replace regional councillors with traditional leaders”. “At the moment Parliamentarians are accountable to a political party from whose list…

18 Aug

Namibia’s focus on wealthy expatriates questioned

ObserverMain

Ester Mbathera Adrianus Vugs, a financial expert and actuary has asked whether Namibia should consider aligning its development agenda with the spending habits of wealthy individuals leaving the United Kingdom (UK). Vugs raised this question last week in relation to the ongoing trend of UK millionaires relocating due to the high cost of living in their home country. “Millionaires are leaving the country because they feel like they are broke and poor in the UK. For example, a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice will cost you between £5 and £10, which is enough to buy more than 10 kg…

15 Aug

Swapo split in Omaheke over new branch leadership

ObserverMain

Stefanus Nashama Swapo regional coordinator in the Omaheke region, Ruth Kaukuata-Mbura, has denied having received any reports of a Swapo member being slapped by another. This follows claims by the former Omaheke Swapo Women’s League regional coordinator, Bianca Van Wyk, who alleged that the former Omaheke regional governor, Festus Ueitele, slapped her during the Okorukambe branch meeting in Gobabis. The meeting was set to restructure the branch since the term of the current office bearers has lapsed. “No one was beaten by Ueitele at the branch meeting and my office did not receive any report that Bianca was beaten,” Kaukuata-Mbura…

14 Aug

ECN warned not to register Nandi-Ndaitwah for the presidential elections

ObserverMain

Martin Endjala Several Swapo members have written to Namibia's Electoral Commission (ECN) via their lawyer, Nicky Ngula, instructing the commission not to allow the registration of endorsed party presidential candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. They are Joshua Vaino Martins, Reinhold Nghihepavali Shipwikineni, Petrus Ndeshipanda Shituula, Erich Chrismann Shivute and Aina Kalimba Angula. “Our instructions are to advise that the Electoral Commission of Namibia, in the circumstances, should not allow the registration of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as a presidential candidate for the National Presidential Elections for 2024 as a result of her non-compliance with Article 15 (9) of the Swapo Party Constitution,” said Ngula.…

13 Aug

Parliament faces legal and functional challenges over NEFF seats

ObserverMainChristian Democratic Voice (CDV), Democratic Party of Namibia (DPN), Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters

Martin Endjala After the deregistration of the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), Christian Democratic Voice (CDV), and Democratic Party of Namibia (DPN) by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), it is still unclear what will happen to the seats vacated in the National Assembly. “This is another classic example that the existing legal provisions are incomplete and do not clarify all eventualities,” said political analyst, Henning Melber on the seats left unoccupied by members of parliament of the affected parties. He said that the country's legal provisions fall short when it comes to handling unforeseen situations, such as the NEFF…

12 Aug

EU backs Namibia’s efforts to exit FATF grey list

ObserverMainFATF grey list

Martin Endjala The European Union Global Facility is assisting Namibia in its efforts to exit the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) Grey List through a scoping mission workshop focused on prioritising technical assistance for beneficial ownership compliance. This initiative follows Namibia's request for support from the EU AML/CFT Global Facility to enhance its adherence to international standards in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing, specifically in the area of beneficial ownership reporting. This was announced by Ana Beatriz Martins, the EU Ambassador to Namibia on 12 August. “The ultimate goal of this workshop is to see Namibia exit the Financial Action…

11 Aug

Alweendo advocates for idea-driven political messages

ObserverMainHarambee Prosperity Plan

Ester Mbathera As the country prepares for elections later this year, the Swapo national leader assigned to the ||Kharas Region, Tom Alweendo, has called for a focus on idea-driven politics rather than personality-driven campaigns. Alweendo made the statement on his social media platform, urging political parties to prioritise problem-solving, inclusivity, and innovation in their campaigns. “Problem-solving approach and idea-driven politics prioritise problem-solving over personal agendas. It focuses on addressing the root causes of problems that, when fixed, create lasting change. Inclusive governance, when politics is centred around ideas, it becomes more inclusive. It allows diverse voices and perspectives to be…

08 Aug

Tax threshold increase brings relief to homeowners

ObserverMainIipumbu Shiimi, Income Tax Act 24 of 1981

Martin Endjala Homeowners stand to benefit from the increase in the tax threshold from N$50 000 to N$100 000. This follows the presentation of proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act, 24 of 1981, in the National Assembly by finance minister, Iipumbu Shiimi this week. According to Josef Sheehama, an independent bank researcher and economist, homeowners will only have to pay tax on the amount that exceeds N$100 000. "This is a wise decision, even though government tax revenue will marginally decline. For those looking to purchase a home, this is welcome news because bond costs are expensive," he said.…